In a speech given during the commencement of a newly formed missions agency, my friend—who heads up the ministry—spoke of its mission and vision. He also gave everyone a clear picture of its goals and plans.
Similarly, at the start of His public ministry, our Lord Jesus gave an “inaugural message” in a synagogue in His hometown. He deliberately directed everyone’s attention to Isaiah’s prophecy concerning God’s Anointed One (Luke 4:16-20).
Nearly 700 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had spoken of the mission of the Messiah: “The LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor . . . to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed . . . to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come” (Isaiah 61:1-2). Isaiah 61 celebrates God’s grace in delivering the Jews from the Babylonian bondage, and proclaims God’s glory in restoring and blessing the Jews after their exile.
After reading this Scripture, Jesus publicly announced that He was the Messiah who had come: “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” (Luke 4:21). Jesus laid out His mission (Luke 4:18-19). He declared that God had sent Him to rescue us (Matthew 1:21), to heal all who are broken by sin (Psalms 34:18, 147:3), to set free those captured by Satan and enslaved in sin (John 8:32-36; Romans 6:6-8), and to restore and bless us (Ephesians 1:3).
Christmas is a reminder that “the time of the LORD’s favor has come” (Luke 4:19). And the apostle Paul reminds us not to reject “this marvelous gift of God’s kindness. . . . Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 John 1:1-10
More:
Read Matthew 5:3-10 to see the blessings God has given to everyone who receives Jesus as Savior.
Next:
God has shown you His favor. Have you received His gift of salvation? If you are a believer, how has salvation in Jesus changed your life?
gary1schelvan on December 25, 2014 at 2:10 am
Merry Christmas K.T.,
I like your post a whole lot. Your so right, today is the day of salvation, there is no time like the present. I thought of this the other morning when reading and praying in connection with my 2 sons in their 30’s. I thought of the 2 recent tragedies with the Malaysia Airlines planes, both of which all passengers perished, never to be seen again here on this earth. They more than likel;y got up that morning, thinking it would be just another day not unlike so many others in their lives. Poof…gone
Were they saved? Or had they decided like many people, that they would get to their relationship with Jesus soon, as soon as they got right in their lives or whatever. That soon will never come now. Don’t hesitate to accept the precious gift God has given us and don’t hesitate to share it with everyone you possibly can. Eternal lives are at stake.
All the best God has to offer in the New Year!
ghchong on December 25, 2014 at 3:20 am
It is too difficult to think whether at a particular interval of time shall I yet be saved, but – I guess – neither have I given up!
ghchong on December 26, 2014 at 2:40 am
http://biblehub.com/psalms/90-12.htm
Gary Shultz on December 25, 2014 at 8:06 am
I am so thankful that the Lord in His favor has provided for me and has extended that favor to all. A gift of everlasting greatness. A most blessed Christmas to and all.
daisymarygoldr on December 25, 2014 at 11:29 am
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. And what should we do to be healed, delivered, rescued and restored? Repent.
Guess what’s the first words Jesus said to begin His public ministry? “Repent of your sins and turn to God” (Matthew 4:17). “The time promised by God has come at last!” He announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15)
What was the response when Jesus publicly announced that He was the Messiah and laid out His mission? They mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. And because of their unbelief, He couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people and heal them (Mark 6:5).
Jesus clearly defined the mission and vision of His ministry: ““Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). He preached, taught, healed every kind of disease and said “unless you repent, you will perish”.
Peter preached, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord”. Paul declared, “I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly… repentance toward God…:
What is the word that is being proclaimed from the church today? Sappy stories of baby Jesus sleeping in a smelly stable or Santa Claus dashing through the snow ringing in the good news that the time of the LORD’s favor has come?
This Christmas, lest we forget our mission as Christians, Christ’s concluding words to the poor, blind and naked church that is occupied in entertainment and enjoyment is—repent to turn away from your indifference and evil ways, for the time is near.
As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.